clicker training


what

Clicker training is a type of positive reinforcement dog training that uses the sound of a clicker to instantly tell a dog when she does something right. When the click is consistently followed by food, it becomes meaningful to the dog; the dog learns that the click means a treat is on the way. The clicker helps instantly and effectively mark good behavior. In a short time, your dog’s brain will recognize the muscles that are acting at the moment the click happens. Your dog will begin to enthusiastically repeat the behavior in hopes of getting more clicks and treats. And so begins the building of good behaviors and habits.

Clicking doesn't tell your puppy when to perform a behavior; that’s what a cue does. The click marks a behavior, conveying to your dog—at the exact moment the behavior happens—that it’s a good one leading to a reward. In other words, the click doesn't cause the behavior; the behavior causes the click. Once your dog is performing a behavior reliably, you’ll begin pairing a cue (verbal or hand signal) with the behavior so you can communicate when you’d like your dog to perform the behavior. 


why

The clicker is useful because it

  • is precise | marks the exact moment the dog performs a behavior you like

  • is fast | processes instantly (faster than words)

  • is unique | only heard when something good is about to happen

  • is consistent | always sounds the same

  • is safe and forgiving of mistakes | won’t set back your training or damage your relationship with your dog

  • inspires focus, enthusiasm and creativity | creates a safe, nurturing learning environment with clear communication that will bring out the best in your puppy



no worries

You will not always need to have a clicker with you to train. The clicker is simply a communication tool that’s used when you are working on new skills or spiffing up old ones. If you don’t have it on your when you are working with your puppy, you can still use your voice to mark good behavior, such as by saying “yes!” in a consistent, happy way. As a part of our Good/Great/Wonder Puppy core skills course series, we work with you to fade out the use of treats and the clicker.

Your puppy will behave when you don’t have treats. For all of our basic skills, we get the behavior to happen BEFORE indicating that a reward has been earned (clicking/showing treats/hand in treat pouch). That’s true clicker training. Showing your dog a treat to get her to perform a behavior and then clicking before delivering the treat is different—that's training with a clicker, but it’s not clicker training. On rare occasions, we might use a food lure to inspire a behavior, but we fade the lure as soon as possible. As your puppy’s learning foundation grows, we step you through the process of fading out all of your management and training tools.